How to Pot Cuttings

Stem cuttings are sometimes rooted and grown on in the same soil medium, but more often they are rooted first in flats of sand or sphagnum and then moved into pots of soil. Cuttings are taken either just below a node or between two nodes (those little swellings on the stems) depending on the type of plant. The length of the cutting, too, is variable.

In most cases, you can hasten root growth by treating the base of the cutting with a hormone, Hormodin or Rootone. Insert the cutting about 1 inch into sand, vermiculite, or peatmoss. Firm the rooting medium around the cutting and water it. Speed root formation by applying gentle bottom heat about 70 to 72 degrees. When good root growth has formed (in 4 to 6 weeks, depending on type of plant), transplant the cuttings into 2- or 3-inch pots or plant bands or to larger flats, spacing the plants about 2 inches apart.

Use pots or bands large enough to accommodate roots without having them touch the sides. Transplant to larger pots as plants grow. With rooted cuttings of plants like coleus and geranium fill the pots or bands % full of soil. Place the rooted cutting on the soil bed and fill in to bring the soil level to within % inch of the pot rim (for watering space).

Firm the soil, but do not pack it so hard you exclude air from roots. After planting, give the cuttings a misting or sprinkling to settle the soil. Harden them in a cool part of the greenhouse for a few days. Growth will be speeded if you place a sheet of transparent plastic over the new plantings. If there is too much moisture, droplets will cling to the inside of the plastic cover; lift it for an hour or two to admit air and help prevent mildew.

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